Skip to content
Sixers
Link copied to clipboard

Sixers fall after Bobcats get out to big, early lead

The Bobcats make 13 of their first 17 shots and are never threatened in a win over the Sixers.

Sixers point guard Michael Carter-Williams gets fouled driving to the basket against the Bobcats' Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson during the second quarter. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)
Sixers point guard Michael Carter-Williams gets fouled driving to the basket against the Bobcats' Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson during the second quarter. (Yong Kim/Staff Photographer)Read more
    by BY BOB COONEY, Daily News Staff Writer <a href="mailto:cooneyb@phillynews.com">cooneyb@phillynews.com</a>, External or Unknown
    Published 

On the Charlotte Bobcats' first offensive series last night, 3 seconds into the game, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist took the ball to the basket and hit Thaddeus Young hard enough that Young stayed on the court for a little bit to recover.

It was certainly a sign of things to come as the Bobcats proceeded to keep running over the Sixers the rest of the evening, eventually gliding to a 123-93 win.

"There was a spirit that was knocked out of us early," Brett Brown said. "For the most part, when you look at our season, you're just so proud of these guys playing their hearts out. I think that we got hit in the stomach early, and it knocked us around. We took a hit; we were deflated. The game was really determined in the first half."

It was determined when Charlotte made 13 of its first 17 shots, opened a 27-point margin in the first half and wasn't challenged after that.

The loss dropped the Sixers to 16-59, while Charlotte, entrenched in a playoff spot right now, improved to 37-38.

Al Jefferson led the onslaught with 25 points and 10 rebounds, all gotten in three quarters of play. Gerald Henderson added 14.

Michael Carter-Williams collected 22 points and seven rebounds for the Sixers, whose six-game home winning streak against Charlotte ended. Henry Sims added 15 points and six rebounds, while Elliot Williams scored 12 and Thaddeus Young 11.

"It was a good example for our guys," Brown said. "That is a team that is going to the playoffs and that's how a team that's going to the playoffs competes and executes and they shot the heck out of it. We give them credit."